You work in the Learning Services Division of a large school district. Recently the deputy superintendent, who is charismatic and inspirational but slightly eccentric, came back from a conference where she had heard for the first time about using wikis, blogging, and social media for teaching and learning activities. She is interested for the staff to integrate collaborative tools with students to support College and Career Readiness standards. However she realizes that it will take hard work to convince some of the more traditional staff members in the district to adopt these new technologies and task processes.
TASK
You have been assigned as part of a team to evaluate the potential of wikis, blogs, and Web 2.0 publishing tools for enhancing reading and writing skills across curricular areas to meet CCR standards. Look at the advantages and perceived disadvantages of these tools in your schools to present a balanced but convincing case to administrators, department heads, and teacher leader groups.
PROCESS
You all have several years teaching experience. However each of you have developed a different area of specialization, and it is for this particular expertise that you have been chosen for this team. In your group choose one role each. If there is another role which you would particularly like to add, please name it and add that person to the ‘brief’, making a note of the particular aspect that they will be looking out for in the investigation.
Individually, examine the resources on the Publishing page (http://pcssdedtech.wikispaces.com/Publishing) from the perspective of your Role. You may also use other search options to locate additional topics, tools, or material for your arguments or to answer your questions. Prepare notes, considering advantages, questions, concerns, and implications to discuss with your team.
PRODUCT
When everyone in the group has reviewed the resources and compared tools, it's time to get together to compare notes.
You will then need to decide how to document the evidence you have gathered. Prepare a chart or outline of key points for the proposal your team will need to prepare for the deputy superintendent and/or the leadership groups identified in the Task.
Determine the method to deliver your proposal and preparation needs.
EVALUATION
WebQuest activities include a reflective evaluation at the conclusion of the process. Record some notes about the process of this activity as a learning activity. We will collect exit information at the end of the session. References, additional reading and information
A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. The model was developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University in February, 1995 with early input from SDSU/Pacific Bell Fellow Tom March, the Educational Technology staff at San Diego Unified School District, and waves of participants each summer at the Teach the Teachers Consortium. For more information about the WebQuest format:
INTRODUCTION
You work in the Learning Services Division of a large school district. Recently the deputy superintendent, who is charismatic and inspirational but slightly eccentric, came back from a conference where she had heard for the first time about using wikis, blogging, and social media for teaching and learning activities. She is interested for the staff to integrate collaborative tools with students to support College and Career Readiness standards. However she realizes that it will take hard work to convince some of the more traditional staff members in the district to adopt these new technologies and task processes.TASK
You have been assigned as part of a team to evaluate the potential of wikis, blogs, and Web 2.0 publishing tools for enhancing reading and writing skills across curricular areas to meet CCR standards. Look at the advantages and perceived disadvantages of these tools in your schools to present a balanced but convincing case to administrators, department heads, and teacher leader groups.PROCESS
You all have several years teaching experience. However each of you have developed a different area of specialization, and it is for this particular expertise that you have been chosen for this team. In your group choose one role each. If there is another role which you would particularly like to add, please name it and add that person to the ‘brief’, making a note of the particular aspect that they will be looking out for in the investigation.Individually, examine the resources on the Publishing page (http://pcssdedtech.wikispaces.com/Publishing) from the perspective of your Role. You may also use other search options to locate additional topics, tools, or material for your arguments or to answer your questions. Prepare notes, considering advantages, questions, concerns, and implications to discuss with your team.
PRODUCT
EVALUATION
WebQuest activities include a reflective evaluation at the conclusion of the process. Record some notes about the process of this activity as a learning activity. We will collect exit information at the end of the session.References, additional reading and information
A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. The model was developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University in February, 1995 with early input from SDSU/Pacific Bell Fellow Tom March, the Educational Technology staff at San Diego Unified School District, and waves of participants each summer at the Teach the Teachers Consortium. For more information about the WebQuest format: